Adding Attic Insulation To Old House

Pull out a small amount of insulation if needed to help.

Adding attic insulation to old house. How to insulate an old house. Plan to pull up the flooring and layer new insulation on top of the old. This old house general contractor tom silva explains the wide world of spray foam insulation how to install insulation learn how to beef up your wall s weather protection in 4 easy steps. Turn off the power to the outlet.

Lay the batts perpendicular to the joists so. Caulk window trim and use weatherstripping to reduce air leaks. Before you begin the installation of insulation. Fill the gaps your insulated attic isn t necessarily a sealed attic.

Why the attic is key 1. Let s apply this knowledge to your. If there is not any insulation in your attic fit the insulation between the joists. Attach 1 inch foam board insulation.

How to install attic insulation over existing insulation wear a long sleeve shirt gloves eye protection and a dust mask. This old house general contractor tom silva shows affordable ways to create an energy efficient attic how to know what insulation is behind your walls if you live in an older home understanding what pads your walls is essential to keeping your family safe. Make sure you use an unfaced batt one without a paper or foil layer so the insulation does not trap moisture in the ceiling. Many old houses had some attic insulation usually cellulose or rock wool but these materials lose their effectiveness over time.

Remove the outlet cover and shine a flashlight into the crack around the outlet box. Block all vents in the attic floor with baffles making sure to extend the baffles at least four inches above the planned thickness of your insulation. The easiest way to add attic insulation is with fiberglass batts. But if the floor is covered in plywood you can t stuff enough insulation beneath it to do the job sufficiently not even in warm climates.

How to insulate walls in an old house. You should be able to see if there is insulation in the wall. Inspect the exterior walls by using an electrical outlet. If the existing insulation is near or above the top of the joists it is a good idea to place the new batts perpendicular to the old ones because that will help to cover the tops of the joists themselves and reduce thermal bridging through the frame.

Install siding over the insulation. Apply a house wrap vapor barrier to exterior walls. We all know that hot air rises as cool air sinks to a low level.